Yesterday I was at a local frame shop in Kingwood to have a Joshua Spies elephant print that I bought at the DSC show stretched and framed. While I was in the frame shop the owners started telling me about a new shop that was opening in the same shopping center. Appears that the owner of the shopping center is planning to open a safari shop. Well suffice it to say I was intrigued -- particularly since this is 10 minutes from my house. So I went down to the place in the shopping center where the shop is being built out. I was looking through the windows when the owner showed up. He opened up the store and showed me around. There is still a fair amount of work to be done, but it is hardwood floors, lots of North American and African game mounts, leather furniture and chairs, etc. They had some stock in the store, including, TAG clothing, custom made boots, leather and canvas gun cases, a number of books including limited editions -- the owner described it as a gift shop for hunters. He intends to have plenty of seating for folks to just sit around and shoot the breeze and will carry fine cigars and have a place for folks to sit, visit and smoke a cigar. I asked him if this was a trick, had I actually died at the frame shop and this was heaven, but he assured me that I was very much alive. He is going to carry some Beretta firearms and also mentioned Blaser. My sense is that the shop is more for hunting and safari paraphernalia than firearms.

For those in Houston, I will keep you posted. The location is on 59 North, between Kingwood Drive and Northpark (East side of the freeway). The shop is located in a shopping center with a Luby's, Texas Road House, and a number of other shops like the frame shop.

Sounds good to me, I'll even make the drive!

When is he opening the shop?

Lucky bastard

That's awesome! We'll definitely be going there. When does he plan to open?

Tell him to open one in Orlando area....too far to drive for a good cigar and conversation!

Gary
DRSS
NRA Lifer
SCI

Ditto on the Central Florida store. We're moving to Tampa in July.

May I be one of the first to welcome you to the Sunshine State.

Gary
DRSS
NRA Lifer
SCI

This is good news. I drive up that road going to the farm almost every weekend during hunting season.

From the looks of things inside, I would guess that he is a month or two from opening. He mentioned to me that at this point he needs to line up someone to run the place for him since he has his hands full with running the whole shopping center and Lord only knows what else.

Interesting place. Had a rhino shoulder mount, some elephant tusks, a number of Boone and Crockett reproductions, and lots of deer and plains game mounts. Not sure I took in everything since I was in there for 10 minutes or so.

I will keep everyone posted.

Might just have to make a detour driving home to Wharton.

Keep us posted on the address and the opening date. I am planning to be in Houston at the end of march and would love to drop in if he were open.

That is one heck of a drive for me....


Mike

[QUOTE]Originally posted by GarBy:
Tell him to open one in Orlando area....too far to drive for a good cigar and conversation!

Gary
DRSS
NRA Lifer
SCI[/QUOTE
You can get your cigars in Cuba man, it is a lot closer.

Shhhhhhh!! Don't tell everyone that...I won't be able to sell them for as much!

Gary
DRSS
NRA Lifer
SCI

MJines,

That is great news, but I hope he can survive in that awful shopping center. I grew up in Kingwood, and that place has only ever worked Luby's. Everything else moves in and out.

When it opens, I may just have to make a trip back to see the family and have a cigar at this shop!

You are right about that. He bought the place out of bankruptcy. It seems to be doing better now. There is a Texas Roadhouse there, I understand a Mexican food place will be opening up as well as an Office Depot, so maybe it is developing some steam.

Sounds like a fun place as long as you take your gas mask with you!

Thanks for the welcome GarBy.

BTT

Any more info on the name and address of the store? I will be in Houston next week and would love to check it out.

Ditto for me. We will be leaving for Namibia in less than 10 weeks and my wonderful wife does not feel her "safari wardrobe" is complete. I will always spend money to support an independant business, particularly if it is related to African hunting. Jerry Hoover